SPOTLIGHT ON THE RENFREWSHIRE JUNIOR GIRLS

Some of the A Squad RLCGA Junior Girls

Juniors girls, 18 and under, who have Congu Handicaps and are members of a Renfrewshire course or were  born in the area will be invited to join RLCGA when their handicap reaches 20. There is no fee for juniors girls and they do not pay County fees until age 23. Junior girls who are members are permitted to enter RLCGA competitions.

Some of the younger Junior Girls at Playsport Fun Day with Lesley Mackay

At the start of every year we ask all clubs in Renfrewshire for a list of all junior girl members. We then invite girls with handicaps for coaching over 4 weekends with Lesley Mackay at Playsport. All other girls without handicaps are invited to a fun day at the beginning of the season. Any help from RLCGA members in gathering and updating this information will always be appreciated.

On the RLCGA web site there is now a junior diary of events which covers SLGA, County events and Club Open days along with other relevant national events

This year we have set up a facebook page where we can keep up to date with junior news throughout the county and this has proved very popular. Any news please contact Janette McCartney  or Carol Fell.

There are 2 major events for Junior Girls in Renfrewshire each year The Kennedy Salver hosted by Ayrshire this year at West Kilbride on the 6th August and The Campbell Clock hosted every year at Whitecraigs, this years date is 2nd Sept.

The 2010 Kennedy Salver Winners
from L to R: Saorcha Warren (Eastwood), Alexandra Qayum (Ranfurly Castle), Emma Kennedy  - reserve (Paisley), Natasha Qayum (Ranfurly Castle), Samantha Cowan (Cochrane Castle), Mairi Gray (Williamwood), Lesley Cosh  - missing in team photo (Cowglen)

The Kennedy Salver 

In 1988 the SLGA wished all girls to be allowed to compete in Club Championships for match experience.  Consequently, The Kennedy Salver was presented by Mrs. I.M. Kennedy, a member of Milngavie Golf Club, Buchanan Castle Golf Club and the Dunbartonshire & Argyll Ladies County Golf Association for annual competition between the Junior girls of Ayrshire, Dunbartonshire & Argyll, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire.  Mrs Kennedy (Eileen) was the Dunbartonshire & Argyll Secretary from 1962 to 1973 and Captain from 1975 to 1977.  Her intention was to encourage and foster enthusiasm amongst Junior girls in the West Division. This Junior Inter-County Team Tournament provides girls from the four West Counties with experience of match play and gives the Scottish Selectors the opportunity to spot potential national players.   It is played over 1 day with 3 foursomes matches in the morning and 6 single matches in the afternoon. The girls wear RLCGA colours and are representing our county. The Kennedy Salver has been won by Renfrewshire in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2010

The Campbell Clock

The Campbell Clock

In 1998 Renfrewshire Junior Secretary Mrs Leslie Campbell presented the Campbell Clock to be played for by Junior Girls annually in a Stableford Competition at Whitecraigs Golf Club. After Leslie’s death in 2003 the competition has been organised by the Renfrewshire Ladies’ County Golf Association.  Up until 2008 it was recognised as a qualifying event for the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association’s Order of Merit.  To encourage youngsters there is also a 10 hole competition for those with handicaps over 30 and a Par 3 competition for the non-handicappers.  (Unfortunately no longer an SLGA Order of Merit)  Any help from RLCGA members would be appreciated for this day as there is lots of assistance needed. Please let Janette know if you are able to help.

This year we have also organised a friendly team match with D & A at Kilmacolm on 8th July. This should help the girls get some match play experience in preparation for the Kennedy Salver.

Junior Girls also play for the RLCGA Junior Championship. Last year this was by invitation to the 4 lowest handicaps. The semi final was played in the morning over Ranfurly Castle and the final in the afternoon over The Old Course Ranfurly.

Renfrewshire Clubs are generally very supportive of Junior Girls at club level and we really appreciate this as we all know juniors are the future of the game of golf which sadly is in decline. Lots of clubs run Open Days which are on the whole very welcoming to girls so check out the junior calendar of events to see what is on.

Contact Janette McCartney RLCGA Junior Secretary on janmcc@btinternet.com or 01389 87733 or 07810 566996 with any junior girls golfing news or if you are able to assist at any girls events.